Journal of food science and technology(Iran)

Journal of food science and technology(Iran)

A Comparative Study on the Effects of Nano- and Microplastics on Nutrient Element Accumulation and Physiological Performance in Arugula (Eruca sativa L.): Implications for Food Crop Safety

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Afrah Toma Kalaf 1
Saeb Jasim mohammed 2
Marwan Abdulrazzaq Kamil 3
1 Department of Biology, College of Education, Samarra University
2 2. Department of Biotechnolog. College of Applied Science . Samarra University
3 3. Assistant Lecturer at Northern Technical University / Technical Institute Al-Dour.
10.48311/fsct.2026.119316.83062
Abstract
Plastic pollution in irrigation water poses an emerging threat to agricultural systems. This study compared the effects of nanoplastics (NPs, 248 nm) and microplastics (MPs, 34 μm) on arugula (Eruca sativa L.) exposed to 10–100 mg/L concentrations justified by Tigris River contamination modeling. Plants were cultivated for 65 days in controlled chambers; particle characterization employed Py-GC/MS, μ-Raman, TEM-EDS, and confocal microscopy. Nitrogen was quantified by Kjeldahl digestion, and other minerals were quantified by ICP-OES. Statistical analysis used linear mixed-effects models with Benjamini–Hochberg correction. Nanoplastics induced greater nutrient depletion than microplastics: at 100 mg/L, nitrogen declined 50.9% (NP) vs. 37.3% (MP), iron 55.4% (NP) vs. 34.8% (MP) (P < 0.001). Oxidative stress markers (H₂O₂, MDA) increased 189% and 201% under NP vs. 156% and 168% under MP (P < 0.001). Although MP root accumulation (42.4 mg/kg) exceeded NP accumulation (14.4 mg/kg) threefold, NPs proved more phytotoxic. Subcellular imaging revealed NP penetration into chloroplasts and mitochondria; MPs remained extracellular. Fresh biomass declined 58.2% (NP) vs. 41.7% (MP) (P < 0.001). Antioxidant enzyme upregulation was stronger under NP exposure but insufficient to prevent oxidative damage. These findings demonstrate that nanoplastics pose a greater physiological threat to arugula than microplastics through organellar penetration and cellular dysfunction, despite lower tissue accumulation. Results highlight the urgent need to incorporate nano-scale particles into irrigation water quality standards and treatment technologies.
Keywords
Nanoplastics
microplastics
arugula
mineral uptake
oxidative stress
food safety
Subjects
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